City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Austin is cheaper. Median rent is $1,729 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
Safety is where Austin and Washington split most clearly. Austin scores 61 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,954 in Washington.
Austin is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Washington makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Austin is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Austin has rougher pockets and Washington has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Austin and Washington are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $225 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $109,870 in Washington, up $16,212 (17%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 223 in Washington, up 61 points (38%).
The move
Washington and Austin are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,729 a month in Austin, down $225 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $93,658 in Austin, down $16,212 (15%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 162 in Austin, down 61 points (27%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Washington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
12% cheaper
Austin rent is 12% cheaper than Washington
Austin
Winner$1,729/mo
Washington
$1,954/mo
Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $1,954 in Washington, so Austin is 12% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,700, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Austin still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Washington.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Washington's median income is 17% higher than Austin
Austin
$93,658
Washington
Winner$109,870
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $93,658 in Austin, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Washington (about $16,212 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Washington is the stronger labor market on paper. Austin can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
27% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 27% lower than Washington
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Austin weather is 16% more comfortable than Washington
Austin
Winner76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Washington
60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs); Washington averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Washington averages around 60°F. Austin scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Washington if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 12% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Austin if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (76°F) beat Washington on this page's weather index by 16%. Washington may pay more or cost less, but Austin is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 27% lower than Washington (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Washington (60°F) and Austin (76°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 16°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,954 vs $1,729) and pay ($109,870 vs $93,658) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Austin rent at $1,729/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $109,870 in Washington versus $93,658 in Austin.
Pick Washington when 60°F is the daily environment you want. Otherwise, Austin's case rests on 76°F you prefer and $1,729 rent you can sustain.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Washington, plus other cities in TX and DC.
